Eric Y.

7th-Grade English Portfolio

My Portfolio Reflection

1. How would you describe your writing at the beginning of the year and how would you describe it now?

At the beginning of the year, I had troubles with writing about details and I often couldn't write a good introduction paragraph. After using writing several essays and special outlines, I can now write a lot better than before. I was also very bad at using sensory details. Right after and during the composing of my Holocaust letter, I learned to vividly describe the setting which is vital key to a beginning of good writing.2. What do you consider your writing strengths? Explain.

I would say that I am the best at probably writing in terms of vocabulary and description. I find it easy.3. What writing skills do you need and/or want to continue to develop next year? Explain.

I want to be able to improve my outlines therefore improving my entire writing. I feel that improving my start of the writing will improve my overall writing.

4. What piece of writing from this year best captures your growth as a writer and thinker? Explain why.

I think writing about the Holocaust was when I have grown as a writer best. First of all there were lots of writing in it and I wrote it with a another person. It was a lot easier to improve because I just had to read my pen-pal's writing (a high-schooler) and I just add what I think what need to be improved in my writing.

5. What piece of writing from this year are you most proud of? Explain why.

Probably the Holocaust Letters because after I read the diary of a Holocaust survivor, I felt that it was easier to write down the details. Watching the movie called The Boy in The Striped Pjs, I could easily described the environments of where my fictional character lived. This piece of writing helped me not only learn about the Holocaust but I also learned to describe the setting of the story clearly.

My name is Eric and I enjoy classical music, love video games, and is very

interested in batman. My first choice of symbols was a treble clef because

classical music brings joy to my aching soul. I included it because I am a huge fan of

music. It is also one of the most common symbol and most popular in the history of

classical music. While most people prefer pop music, I prefer classical music because it’s calm. The second symbol was an Xbox controller because that is one of the best things ever created that takes away my daily pressure. I included it in my logo because it is fun and my favorite video game console. Most important of all, it gives me motivation to better at school and it is like a happy pill. This device also lets me communicate with my friends so I wouldn’t be forever alone. This represents that I’m not a super boring kid. The third symbol I chose was a Batman picture because Batman inspires me in a special way. I included it because he is my favorite superhero. Even though he doesn’t have any unique super powers, he still studies hard, trains in fighting, and create ideas for cool useful gadgets and vehicles. I thought that it would be cool to include half of Batman and his archenemy the Joker on the symbol because the two characters have a sharp contrast! Finally, the last symbol I chose was a meme rage face. I chose it and included it in my logo because it is one of the best comics ever made and all the faces are very creative and funny. This comic combines humor and epicness which equals the best comic ever made! In conclusion, these interests make me an anti-boring kid.

Hello friend, life has been fairly good but after the Nazis invasion, the whole neighborhood has been grieving over their losses. My parents have found no point in life but the pope and priests have convinced them to continue and survive.

Before the outbreak, my father had been finally promoted to owner of the shop, the bad news is that the Nazis have been promoting strict rules that seriously disrupt the profit our humble family makes. Most of the shop has been stripped and the valuable antiques were mostly stolen. Now the streets of our town has become very lonely and mellow. The streets are very dirty and everyone walking on the streets have a grim face even our German neighbors. This sadistic event has seriously hurt our family’s chances of living a good life and has taken away our deepest and most precious memories from our ancestors. But that is not all. The moment night takes away the broad daylight, we fear burglars and thieves will rob and murder us. I always feel an ominous air breeze around me ever since after the Nazis invaded our small town. Our eldest neighbor Mr. Weissman was robbed of his most valuable possession and then put to death for his suggested insolence by the predator. This was witnessed but nothing was done because all had feared for their lives even the Germans. Our shop was forced to be sold at a cheap price almost next to nothing and the remaining stock was forced to go. Now, not only did we not have money but we were living in constant fear. I always knew the world was unfair but i did not think it would be this unfair. I feel as if this was set-up and that it would happen to everyone.

“ Everything will be better…” said my parents.

I hope God will step in on this sad moment and rescue all the innocents who never sought for this war. We already live in a small town but now with the many deaths, our town has become even smaller.I also hope my neighbors will not befall the treacherous doom Mr. Weissman has experienced. Good Luck to all.